The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-09-02
THE Farm,
Farmers, Gardners, HorticuituHsts,
Dairy and Stockmen are requested to
Write for this Department.
County Roads.

led this tough subject at the July meet
ing of the Club. The "road system"
of Hartford is about the same as that Of
Cecil, or we might say, all the other
counties of the State, with that of sew
eral neighboring States included, an
old defunct, behind the times system,
or rather no system" Mr.. Janney
urged the importance of doing away
with the general supervisors and of
employing competent civil engineer
to superintend the construction and re-
pair of roads and give out contracts for
the same. Road warrants are now
given out frequently to men who know
nothing of road-mending and money is
therefore wasted. After the roads are
once put in proper shape the expense
Of keeping them up would be decreased.
He thought by o union of farmers
clubs something might be done. Public
improvements should keep pace with
private improvements.
Thomas Lochary thought farmers
don't take sufficient interest in the
roads. a great deal of money is laid
out to little advantage.
VIM. B. Hopkins thought the county
would save money by increasing the
road tax and making the roads good.
Hs did not think politics ought to enter
into road-mending. The repair of the
roads should be given to men living
along them, who would take more in
terest in them than any one else would.
Jas. Lee said if we had the system
practiced in some parts Of Pennsylvania
of selling the roads to the lowest re.
sponsible bidders it would be better.
He approved Mr.. Janney's suggestion
in relation to the appointment of road
engineer.
BENZ. Silver, Jr., doubted that
change of system is needed, although
some Improvements on the present
system might be made. The trouble,
he thought, was that we do not get the
right man in the right place. There is
too much dilatoriness. He advocated
the use of road machines, which are an
approved success. Gangs of men
should be employed to 60 around with
these machines and the roads should be
repaired in the spring. He was oppos.
ed to the contract system, for the reason
that there is not sufficient profit in
mending short piece of road to justify
a farmer in bidding for it and farmers
could not take large contracts.
j. W. Hanna said if we had good
supervisors We could have good roads.
Good local supervisors would do the
work more efectually than one road
engineer. He would not object to
higher road tax if it would secure good
roads.
VIM. Webster said our present sys-
tenn, if properly carried out would
work admirably, but the obstacle in the
way OF its success is favoritism. Men
are appointed supervisors not because of
special fitness, but for the reason that
they are friends of the Commissioner
who appoints them. In some instances
roads have been given to men who own
no team and have no means of mending
roads. He did not object to Mr.. Jan
ney's suggestion of road engineer, but
thought it likely he would also give
more attention to some roads than 9th.
ers. 1t would be..of no use to make any
proposition for change unless the peo.
pie could be brought to see the advan-
tage of it. If our roads could be per-
manently improved it would be econo-
my in the long run.
Geo. +. Silver said every system has
some Objectionable features. A few
years ago he joined in a movement to
change the present system, but further
observation and inquiry had convinced
him that our system is as good as any,
but it has not been properly carried
out. There should be personal interest
on the part oc those who use teams and
drive over the public roads. The peo-
pie living along the public roads can
mend them more cheaply and better than
those from distance. Washing rains
come, roads are made impossible, and
if it is the duty of a farmer near by to
repair the road such emergencies could
be met at once and the county save
money. A man who is interested in
road will soon learn to mend it properly
and economically. The general and
local supervisorsare too often appointed
on acconnt of their political influence.
He had known Commissioners who would
not give roads except to men who would
promise to vote for them. No farmer
would object to paying heavy road
tax If the money were properly expend-
ed. Unless we have good re ads our
county will not advance as it should.
VIM. D. Lee said good roads will add
to the value of property. He was op.
posed to changing the present system if
it could be properly carried out.
II H Hall oloo 3ha-ohk Al eo,.lk =.